Patent · US Expired

Enhanced acoustic detection of gas leaks in underground gas pipelines

US6725705B1 · kind B1 · utility

88Cited by
19References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 15, 2003
Grant dateApr 27, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 15, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01M3/243
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method for locating gas leaks from underground gas pipelines in which a first acoustic sensor having a first signal output is positioned in ground disposed substantially above or at a distance from the underground gas pipeline. At least one second acoustic sensor having a second signal output is positioned in the ground at a plurality of locations substantially above the underground gas pipeline. The output signals from the acoustic sensors are measured for each location of the second acoustic sensor and the signals are adaptively filtered to remove common noise signal components. The statistical minima of these rms voltages are determined for both the first output signal and the adaptively filtered second output signals and the differences determined. The location of the second acoustic sensor corresponding to the largest positive said difference is the location closest to the leak site.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.